Benefits are pretty good. 401K is immediately vested. Free employee meals (while not always palatable) are a plus. Most of the other departments seem to have a relative handle on what they are doing.

Cons

Cafeteria food for 2nd shift is definitely worse that 1st shift (but free is free y'know). If you work in the front office forget about having time to go to meetings that could actually help you develop professionally.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

If you want your talent to stay with the company, make them feel like they are appreciated. This is easy to do by not being cheap on wages.

Beautiful hotel, great standards of service, many coworkers are nice, good benefits. The hotel is beautiful and has many international guests and the opportunity to provide a luxury experience for them. The brand has several locations in the US and is also international, giving you the possibility to transfer to other locations if that interests you. Free meal per shift in the cafeteria is always a nice addition. Although if you work in the Food and Beverage department the time of your cafeteria visit is about the time you arrive, rendering it kind of pointless.

Cons

Political unprofessional nonsense will meet you at every corner. Managers were carrying on "relationships" with other managers and even with subordinates. Promotion opportunities and treatment is not equal. Management will frequently harass you to make sure you uphold to every standard they have in place. Sometimes there are 25+ standards you need to meet for one interaction with a guest!! Forget to say "Bonjour"? You might get a write up. Received a write up for being one minute late! Not kidding. Micro-management environment, very little training (servers never know what the specials are, what the lunch menu even is, what the dishes are like), an HR team that is out to get you. I came in excited to work for the company, worked hard, received constant praise from guests, wanted to stay long term- left with very bad taste in my mouth.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Get professional, experienced managers and employees that want to stay and grow with the company. Providing a memorable and wonderful experience for the guest means you need to have consistent service. New managers every 6 months makes that very difficult. If multiple employees are fired or quit and it is because of one or two managers, that needs to be addressed!! Have an exit interview. Allow easier transfer between departments.

There are many possibilities for luxury training, diversity training and Front Office Operational training. Employees who work in Front Office operations will be provided uniforms [size and condition may not aways be in suitable condition]. One meal is provided for, albeit if you have any dietary restrictions you should bring your own food. Certain members in management are approachable and may even offer to mentor you.

Cons

Front Office: litigious application of employee handbook rules. Certain management personnel seem friendly enough, but they are constantly seeking new ways to calmly extract information from you to later use against you. Concierge: you may be expected to perform duties of Front Office, thus blurring the line or responsibility and function. Don't expect much advancement in incorporating technology into the guest experience. Everything rests on Medallia, Sofitel's metric for guest satisfaction. And when a guest is dissatisfied, but doesn't explain why? Well, it will naturally be your fault, non?

Also, be cautious when dealing with HR: they may attempt to detain you placing you under duress if you are in the process of termination or a forced resignation. Avoid signing anything unless you are fully aware of the implications. Beware!

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Offer more development training for your staff on a consistent basis. Foster and cultivate greater solidarity through activities and meetings with staff to make them feel integrated into a brand which strives for luxury, but falls into the boutique category.